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Submission guidelines

Before you submit your application, check our tips and advice checklist to ensure you're submitting a valid application.

  • Pay the correct fee for your application. If you are unsure how much you should be paying, use the Planning Portal fee calculator

  • Submit satisfactory plans and drawings preferably on A3 or A4 or saved electronically to print at A3 or A4 size. Please ensure that you include the print (page) size, a scale bar showing the length of 1 and 10 metres, key dimensions and if drawings need to be printed in colour

  • Attachments are restricted to the following file types - PDF (Adobe Acrobat), JPG (images), DOC (MS Word Text Drawings) XLS (spreadsheets). We are unable to accept drawings with the following file extensions - DWG, DWF, DXF or any drawings that have been produced with CAD software. We recommend that you submit drawings in PDF format and photographs in JPEG format

  • Ensure all drawings include the print (paper) size; the relevant scale at that print size (eg 1:100 etc); and a scale bar showing the length of 1 and 10 metres and key dimensions and if drawings need to be printed in colour eg site plans

  • Files cannot be larger than 4MB and file names should be relevant to the content of the drawings

  • Most planning applications need a site location plan and block plan showing the location and boundaries of the site you are planning to work on. The application site must be edged in red and other land in the application should be edged in blue. These plans can be obtained via the Planning Portal

  • Check the supporting documents for National and Local Requirements and documents you need to submit for a valid application; application codes, guidance notes and thresholds

  • For development within a designated flood zone you must fill in a flood risk assessment through the Environment Agency

  • Complete the CIL liability forms

  • If required, submit a design and access statement

  • Drawings or fees can be submitted by post, please ensure these are correctly addressed, quoting the Planning Portal application number. Your application cannot be progressed until all appropriate information has been received

  • Consult the Validation Checklists. It is important to note that the Validation Checklists list the documents required to accompany planning applications before they are validated

  • For major applications submitted online, complete the form online and post/deliver a minimum of two sets of all application documentation to Planning Services. In addition, copies of the application documentation should be supplied on a CD to enable electronic processing

  • Please provide a summary of all attachments with your application